When to Harvest

Vegetable Seed Guide

To get the best taste, texture and cooking quality, vegetables should be harvested at optimum maturity. This chart indicates the best stage of growth to harvest. Another aid to planning a successful garden is the “Days to Maturity” date printed on each seed package and in this guide. This is based on normal growing conditions and will indicate how many days until the plant reaches optimum maturity.

Vegetable

Part Eaten

Too Early

Optimum Maturity

Too Late

Artichoke, Globe

Immature bloom

Small flower buds

When buds are 2" to 4" in diameter

Large buds with loose scales or bracts

Asparagus

Stem

Insufficient length

6" to 8" long; no fiber

Excess woody fiber in the stem

Beans, Lima

Seed

Insufficient bean size

Bright green puffy pod; large seed

Yellow pods

Beans, Pole Green

Pod and seed

Insufficient size

Bean cavity full; seed ¼ grown

Large seed; fibrous pods

Beans, Snap Bush

Pod and seed

Insufficient size

Turgid pods; seeds just visible

Fibrous pods; large seed

Beets

Root and leaves

Insufficient size

Roots 2" to 3" in diameter

Pithy roots; strong taste

Broccoli

Immature bloom

Insufficient size

Bright green color; bloom still tightly closed

Loose head; some blooms beginning to show

Brussels Sprouts

Head

Insufficient size; hard to harvest

Bright green; tight head

Loose head; color changes to green-yellow

Cabbage

Head

Insufficient leaf cover

Heads firm; leaf tight

Loose leaf; heads cracked open

Cantaloupes

Fruit

Stem does not want to separate from fruit

Stem breaks away easily and cleanly when pulled

Yellow background color; soft rind

Carrots

Root

Insufficient size

½" to ¾" at shoulder

Strong taste; oversweet

Cauliflower

Immature bloom

Head not developed

Compact head; fairly smooth

Curds open; separate

Celery

Stems

Stem too small

Plant stands 12" to 15" tall; medium-thick stem

Seed stalk formed; bitterness

Collards

Leaf

Insufficient leaf size

Bright green color; small midrib

Large midrib; fibrous

Corn, Sweet

Grain

Grain watery; small

Grain plump; liquid in milk stage

Grain starting to dent; liquid in dough stage

Cucumber

Fruit

Insufficient size

Dark green skin; soft seeds

Skin beginning to yellow; hard seeds

Eggplant

Fruit

Insufficient size

High glossy skin; side springs back when mashed

Brown seeds; side will not spring back when mashed

Lettuce, Head

Leaves

Head not fully formed

Fairly firm; good size

Heads very hard

Okra

Pod

Insufficient size

2" to 3" long; still tender

Fiber development; tough pods

Onions, Dry

Bulb

Tops all green

Tops yellow; ¾ fallen over

All tops down; bulb rot started

Peas, English

Seed

Peas immature and too small to shell

Peas small to medium; sweet bright green

Yellow pods; large peas

Peas, Southern (green)

Seed and pod

Peas immature and too small to shell

Seeds fully developed but still soft; soft pods

Hard seeds; dry pods

Pepper, Pimiento

Pod

Insufficient size

Bright red and firm

Shriveled pod

Pepper, Red Bell

Pod

Chocolate-colored pods

Bright red and firm

Shriveled pod

Potato, Irish

Tuber

Insufficient size

When tops begin to die back

Damaged by freezing weather

Potato, Sweet

Root

Small size; immature

Most roots 2" to 3" in diameter

Early plantings get too large and crack; damaged by soil temperature below 50°F

Rhubarb

Stem

Small size; immature

Stem 8" to 15" long is best

Fleshy stem becomes fibrous

Soybeans

Seed

Seeds not developed

Thick pods; bright green

Dry pods; seed shatters out

Squash, Summer

Fruit

Insufficient size

Rind can be penetrated with thumbnail

Penetrating with thumbnail is difficult; large seed

Squash, Winter

Fruit

Soft rind

Rind difficult to penetrate with thumbnail

Damaged by frost

Tomatoes

Fruit

May be harvested in three stages:

Mature green – tomato is firm and mature, color changes from green to light green, no pink color showing on blossom end. These tomatoes will store one to two weeks in the refrigerator.

Pink – pink color about the size of a dime on the blossom end. At room temperature, these tomatoes will ripen in about three days.

Ripe – tomato is full red but still firm. Should be used immediately.

Watermelon

Fruit

Green flesh; green stem is difficult to separate

Melon surface next to the ground turns from a light straw color to a richer yellow

Top surface has a dull look

*Disclaimer: This guide contains recommendations for the mid-atlantic and south eastern regions of the United States. Climate and dates may vary per year. Be sure to verify weather conditions for your area. A climate zone map can typically be found at your local county extension office. You can also contact your local Southern States for advice and information on growing your garden.

Related Products

Perfect for culinary needs, the Kennebec Potato features a medium maturity rate with a high yield of large oblong tubers. You can tell these potatoes apart from others because of their white skin and white flesh. Their specific gravity ranges from 1.075 to 1.100. Excellent for baking, boiling, chipping and frying. Price above represents a per pound price for a 50 lb. bag.

Red Pontiac Potato features a late maturity and is a mid-season table stock with a high yielding return and medium specific gravity. Tubers are round to oblong with medium deep eyes, dark red skin, sometimes netted and white flesh. This seed is drought tolerant but susceptible to potato virus Y, bruising and scab. Price above represents a per pound price for a 50 lb. bag.

Yukon Gold Potato features a medium maturity, mid-season table stock and yellow flesh. Guaranteed to produce a high yield with a high specific gravity. Tubers are oval with shallow pink eyes and a yellowish-buff skin. Susceptible to scab but resistant to potato virus A and potato leaf roll virus. Price above represents a per pound price for a 50 lb. bag.

Excellent for boiling and frying, the Red Norland Potato 1 lb Bag features an oblong tuber, smooth and flattened shape, and a medium red color. This seed is widely accepted and has an early maturity rate. Price above represents a per pound price for a 50 lb. bag.

Price above represents a per pound price for a 32lb bag. Onion Sets, or "baby" onions, are used to grow green and/or dry onions. Taking about 4 to 5 weeks to mature, plant these seeds in your garden in either late fall or early spring to achieve green onions. If left in for the full 90-day maturity period, you will have dry onions in late July or early August.

Price above represents a per pound price for a 32lb bag. Onion Sets, or "baby" onions, are used to grow green and/or dry onions. Taking about 4 to 5 weeks to mature, plant these seeds in your garden in either late fall or early spring to achieve green onions. If left in for the full 90-day maturity period, you will have dry onions in late July or early August.

Get what you expect with the Early Prolific Straightneck Squash. These seeds provide the best taste when the fruit is harvested young (about 4"-6" in length). Matures fully in 50 days. With a clear yellow flesh, this squash is delicious and appealing.

Golden Summer Crook Squash is a classic bush-type variety! Fruits grow up to about 10" long and 3-1/2" in diameter, with a small crooked neck and an enlarged blossom end where seeds are borne. Unique with its rich yellow color and warts, these squash weigh about 2lb each and mature in 52 days.